Furniture-tuft and method of making the same



(No Model.)

G. DOOLITTLE. FURNITURE TUFT AND METHOD 0]? MAKING THE SAME. i

No. 254,936. Patented Mar..14,1882..

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? NETED STATES PATENT FFICE.

FURNITURE-TUFT AND.METH'OD OF MAKING THE SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,936, dated March14, 1882.

Application filed February 12, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE DOOLITTLE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, Connecticut, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in I urniture-Tufts and the Methodof Makingtthe Same, of which the following is a Specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the method of producingtufts for upholstery, and to certain novel features of construction ofthe product.

The objects of my invention are the simplification of the process ormethod of production and strength and durability of structure in theproduct.

With these ends in view my invention con sists in the method of formingyarn-tufts by first feeding the material through a condensing-tube, andslightly beyond the end thereof,

and then, while turning the tube upon its longitudinal axis, stitchingthrough from side to side with a needle and suitable thread upon amachine adapted for the purpose, and subsequently severing the tuftbehind theplane of stitching; and my invention further consists of atuft for upholstery, composed of strands of yarn or other suitablematerial, having a backing formed by stitching in the manner describedto give it strength and rigidity as a new article of manufacture, aswill hereinafter be more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of asuitable apparatus for carrying out my improved method, and showing inplan view the yarn-strands concentrated and stitched. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of one of my improved tufts; and Figs. 3 and 4. areperspective views, illustrating the most common way of producing tufts;and Fig. 5 is a cross-section of my improved tuft, taken in. a

plane at right angles to the lay of the strands.

composing the tuft.

Priorto my invention tufts have been formed from yarn by weavingitandwire together, as shown at Fig. 3, and then rolling or coiling the sameand overstitching it, as seen at Fig. 4. This is comparatively a tediousand expensive process, and .the tuft, when completed, is necessarilyloose and. frail. It has also been proposed to form tufts byconcentrating the strands of yarn and projecting them beyond the end ofthe concentrating-tube and binding the same by a circumferentialbinding-cord, and subsequently cutting the tuft off behind thebindingcord. As the tendency of the strands is to separate and expandimmediately after escaping beyond the end of the concentrating-tube, itis apparent that great power must be exerted by the binding-cord (whichmust necessarily be very strong) to confine the ends of the strandscomposing the tufts, and as the binder is applied circumferentially andnearer one end of the strands than the other, it (the binding-cord)operates as a fulcrum, under the expansive leverage of the confinedstrands, to throw the central strands upward and out of confinement, andthe displacement or removal of any of the strands correspondinglyweakens the relations of the remainder and renders the structure veryuncertain in its function as a tuft.

By my improved method of forming tufts I overcome all the disadvantagesdescribed, and obtain a very strong and durable article.

It will be observed that by turning and stitching upon a sewing-machineadapted for the purpose the thread is looped or twisted (according tothe character of the machine employed) after passing through the tuft,'and the loop or lock of the stitch is by the tension drawn up andtoward the center of the tuft; and by this means I obtain short externalor circumferential stitches terminating in radial and intersectingdrawing-stitches, so that the strands composing the tuft are thoroughlyand intimately bound together by first bunching the strands in segmentscommensurate in size to and governed by the feed of the machine,

and then associating and bindingtogether such segments, thus forming acircular tuft. It will also be observed that the continued rotation orfeed of the condensed strands, while the needle is forced through thesame, thoroughly unites individual strands and segments together, asclearly shown at Fig. 5 of the drawin gs.

The ordinary compressing-tube (shown at A) is used, and the flared endmay be provided with a reed, B, which may be used togroup and directdifferent colorsof yarn to produce a pleasing effect in the tuft. G isthe thread.

It will be apparent that the concentratingtube may be applied with alittle ingenuity to a sewing-machine, and proper yarn-feeding andtube-rotating mechanism employed, so that the stitching may be done bymachinery.

I have not shown any sort of sewing-machine, as I do not wish to confinemyself in this particular, as any machine suitably adapted for thepurpose may be used.

I do not wish to be understood as claiming or confining myself to thespecial instrumentalities shown for carrying out my invention, the gistof which rests in the idea of sewing and binding the strands of yarntogether, as already shown and fully described.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The method of making tufts of yarn or other suitable material bycondensing the strands and confining and associating the same togetherby circumferential and radial intersecting stitches, substantially inthe manner hereiubefore set forth.

2. As'an improved article of manufacture, a tuft for upholstery,composed of strands of yarn or other suitable material bound andstitched by circumferential and intersecting radial stitches,substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto setmy hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

GEORGE DOOLITTLE.

Witnesses:

H. GARDNER, ALFRED B. BEERS.

